Pitaya

Name	Pitaya
Peak season	June-November
Uses	juice, hand-fruit, salad
Vegetation	plant (cactus)
Scientific Name	hylocereus undatus
Spanish Name	pitahaya

One of the most interesting characteristics of the pitaya fruit (also written as pitahaya, and also referred to as dragonfruit) is the fact that is grows on a cactus plant. The cactus will first produce flowers that will later transform into these bright purple fruits that can weigh up to 300 gram and that contain small, black seeds. Pitaya fruit is mostly used for creating rather thick juices (often enriched with some lemon juice), but the fruit’s flesh can also be eaten plain (cut into small pieces) or in fruit salads. Some experts contribute anti anaemic characteristics to the pitaya fruit.

There are several pitaya varieties in Nicaragua, and they can be found in almost every region. The cactus plant, which can measure up to two meters, normally grows on rocky terrains or on trees. They can often be found at the top of high trees where seeds developed after being left there by birds.